Cases to watch in 2025: Sean "Diddy" Combs and Bryan Kohberger. Plus, safety tips for AI scams.

Summary

Dateline NBC Podcast Summary: "Cases to Watch in 2025: Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Bryan Kohberger. Plus, Safety Tips for AI Scams"

Release Date: January 2, 2025

The latest episode of Dateline NBC, hosted by Andrea Canning and featuring insights from seasoned correspondents, delves into some of the most high-profile criminal cases slated for 2025. Additionally, the episode provides critical safety tips on emerging AI-driven scams. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions.

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1. High-Profile Cases Set for 2025 Trials

a. Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z Legal Battle

Overview: Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs faces a tumultuous legal battle that could dominate headlines in 2025. Accused of leading a racketeering conspiracy involving severe crimes such as sex trafficking, forced labor, and bribery, Combs is currently held in federal detention awaiting his spring trial.

Key Points:

• Charges and Allegations: U.S. Attorney Damian Williams outlines the multifaceted charges against Combs, including participation in criminal activities through his business empire ([02:49]).

• Civil Suits: Beyond criminal charges, Combs faces over 30 civil lawsuits alleging sexual violence. Notably, Cassie Ventura's claim accuses Combs of rape and physical abuse, which was settled without admission of wrongdoing ([03:08]).

• Additional Allegations: A new lawsuit implicates legendary rapper Jay-Z alongside Combs, accusing both of raping a 13-year-old girl—a claim both artists vehemently deny ([04:03]).

Notable Quotes:

• Andrea Canning ([04:03]): "We brought Chloe back and also asked NBC News senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett to join us. They'll talk about where this case might go in 2025."

• Shane Bishop ([04:58]): "Will the charges, the criminal charges be limited to Combs alone or will more people in the alleged conspiracy, as the government describes it, eventually get implicated?"

Analysis: Legal experts Chloe Melas and Laura Jarrett provide in-depth analysis, discussing the potential for additional implicated parties and the strategic maneuvers of both prosecution and defense teams. The episode highlights the possibility of influential accomplices and the impact of high-powered legal representation on the proceedings.

b. Bryan Kohberger Murder Trial

Overview: Bryan Kohberger, a Criminology PhD student from Washington State University, is charged with the brutal stabbing of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The upcoming trial in August 2025 is anticipated to be a landmark case for the legal system and the community seeking closure.

Key Points:

• Case Background: On November 13, 2022, four students—Kaylee Gonsalves, Madison Mogan, Ethan Chapin, and Zanna Kernodle—were found fatally stabbed in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger was arrested 47 days post-murders after authorities linked him through genetic genealogy ([12:17]).

• Trial Developments: The trial was relocated to Boise, Idaho, due to a change of venue granted by the judge, allowing Kohberger to face a death-qualified jury ([14:35]). The defense is preparing to challenge the validity of search warrants through a Franks hearing, potentially delaying the trial ([18:18]).

• Community Impact: Families of the victims express frustration over the prolonged legal process, emphasizing the emotional toll and the desire for justice ([15:23], [19:03]).

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Williams ([14:35]): "Coburger will face a death-qualified jury, meaning all the jurors have to be okay with voting for the death penalty if there's a conviction."

• Vicki Wynn ([13:02]): "I would say that I feel like the legal system is not about the victims and I'll leave it at that."

Analysis: Shane Bishop recounts his firsthand experience in Idaho, highlighting the community's shock and the emotional strain on the victims' families. The segment underscores the complexities of high-stakes trials, including legal strategies like challenging evidence and the potential influence of changing political landscapes on high-profile cases.

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2. Additional Noteworthy Cases in 2025

a. Brendan Banfield and Juliana Perez Magales Double Murder

Overview: In the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Brendan Banfield and his au pair, Juliana Perez Magales, are embroiled in a double murder case involving the deaths of Banfield's wife and a man named Joseph Ryan.

Key Points:

• Plot and Charges: Banfield is charged with aggravated murder of both his wife and Joseph Ryan, while Magales faces second-degree murder charges ([20:35]).

• Plea Deal: In a significant development, Magales accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to manslaughter in Ryan's shooting and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors in Banfield's upcoming trial scheduled for October 20th ([21:08]).

Notable Quotes:

• Vicki Wynn ([20:35]): "Brendan Banfield plotted with the family's au pair to kill his wife and misleading Joseph Ryan through a fetish website."

• Vicki Wynn ([21:00]): "Juliana took a plea deal. She pled guilty to manslaughter in the shooting of Joseph Ryan."

Analysis: The cooperation agreement with Magales could be pivotal in the prosecution's case against Banfield, potentially leading to impactful testimonies that may shape the trial's outcome.

b. Karen Reed Trial in Massachusetts

Overview: Karen Reed faces a retrial in Massachusetts after a hung jury failed to reach a verdict in her initial trial for allegedly hitting her boyfriend with an SUV and abandoning him in the snow.

Key Points:

• Case Specifics: Reed is accused of leaving her boyfriend to die following a night of partying in January 2022. The jury's inability to reach a verdict necessitates a second trial set to begin on April 1st ([21:38]).

• Legal Team Changes: The defense team remains largely intact, with Alan Jackson continuing as the lead attorney, suggesting a consistent defense strategy ([22:08]).

Notable Quotes:

• Vicki Wynn ([22:08]): "There will be a new prosecutor leading the case, and Karen Reed's defense team is also going to be a little bit different."

• Andrea Canning ([22:21]): "Alan Jackson, her lead attorney, made such an impression at the first trial. Is he still a part of her team?"

Analysis: The steadfast presence of Reed's high-powered defense team signals a robust defense approach in the upcoming trial, potentially impacting jury perceptions and trial dynamics.

c. Brian Walsh Missing Person and Murder Case

Overview: Brian Walsh is accused of murdering his wife, Anna Walsh, a real estate executive who disappeared on New Year's Day 2023. Despite extensive investigations, Anna's body has never been found, adding complexity to the case.

Key Points:

• Investigation Details: Police discovered knives and blood in the basement, alongside disturbing Google searches on the family's son's iPad, leading to Brian's charges for first-degree murder, misleading police, and improper transport of a human body ([22:45]).

• Trial Schedule: Walsh's trial is slated for October 20, 2025, with significant evidence hinging on digital footprints and circumstantial evidence ([23:13]).

Notable Quotes:

• Laura Jarrett ([23:34]): "At 4:55am on January 1, he searched... how to stop a body from decomposing."

• Vicki Wynn ([23:39]): "Brian was charged with first-degree murder, misleading the police, and improper transport of a human body."

Analysis: The case highlights the challenges of prosecuting without a recovered body, relying heavily on digital evidence and behavioral patterns. The upcoming trial promises to delve into these aspects, testing the strength of circumstantial evidence in achieving a conviction.

d. Corey Richards Poisoning Case in Utah

Overview: Corey Richards, a mother of three and author, is charged with poisoning her late husband by lacing his drink with fentanyl in March 2022. Richards maintains her innocence, claiming her defense is strong.

Key Points:

• Charges and Defense: Richards faces serious allegations of involuntary manslaughter and improper handling of toxic substances. She has pleaded not guilty and is preparing for a lengthy trial scheduled from April 28th to May 22nd, 2025 ([24:38]).

• Evidence: Jailhouse recordings sent by Richards may play a crucial role in unveiling her narrative and defense strategy ([24:33]).

Notable Quotes:

• Chloe Melas ([24:33]): "I'm anxious to get to trial and I'm ready to get this one heck of a fight."

• Vicki Wynn ([24:46]): "It's looking like it's going to be pretty long. It's currently scheduled to begin on April 28th and is expected to go through May 22nd."

Analysis: The protracted trial period indicates the case's complexity, with significant evidence likely to be scrutinized. The reliance on Richards' personal recordings may introduce a unique dimension to the defense strategy.

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3. AI-Driven Scams and Safety Tips

Overview: In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly intersects with daily life, Dateline NBC addresses the escalating threat of AI-powered scams. NBC News senior consumer investigative correspondent Laura Jarrett provides insights into how criminals utilize AI to enhance their deceptive tactics.

Key Points:

• AI in Scams: AI technologies enable the rapid creation of fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and smishing texts, making scams more believable and widespread ([27:17]).

• Deepfakes: Advanced AI-driven deepfakes pose significant risks, as they can fabricate audio, images, and videos that convincingly mimic real individuals, complicating the verification of legitimate communications ([28:14]).

• Detection and Prevention: Experts recommend scrutinizing unexpected or extreme messages, verifying sources, and remaining vigilant against suspicious online activities to mitigate the risks posed by AI-enhanced scams ([29:01]).

• Future Outlook: As AI technology evolves, so do the methods to combat AI-driven threats. Organizations are developing sophisticated tools to detect and defend against these scams, anticipating an AI-versus-AI battle in cybersecurity ([29:34]).

Notable Quotes:

• Laura Jarrett ([26:02]): "AI allows computers to perform tasks that typically require human decision-making, enabling predictive responses based on vast datasets."

• Laura Jarrett ([27:17]): "A lot of that content is now being generated by AI, which makes it that much easier for the bad guys to pump out that bad information."

• Laura Jarrett ([28:14]): "Deepfake technology is becoming so good... People have to be very careful when they're on social media."

Practical Tips:

• Verify Authenticity: Always confirm the legitimacy of unexpected communications, especially those requesting sensitive information.

• Be Skeptical of Deepfakes: Look for inconsistencies in videos or images, such as unnatural movements or mismatched audio.

• Use Security Tools: Employ AI-powered security solutions that can detect and block fraudulent activities.

Analysis: The segment emphasizes the dual-edged nature of AI—while it offers significant advancements and conveniences, it also empowers cybercriminals to execute more sophisticated and convincing scams. The discussion underscores the necessity for both individual vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures to counteract these evolving threats.

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Conclusion

The Dateline NBC episode provides a thorough examination of some of the most anticipated criminal trials in 2025, highlighting the complexities and high stakes involved. From the legal entanglements of high-profile celebrities like Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z to the harrowing case of Bryan Kohberger and other significant trials, the episode offers listeners an in-depth look at the challenges and implications these cases present.

Additionally, the discussion on AI-driven scams serves as a crucial reminder of the evolving nature of cyber threats, urging listeners to remain informed and cautious in their digital interactions.

Final Notes:

• Upcoming Content: The episode hints at future stories, including the Dateline special "Secrets of Birchview Drive," premiering on Peacock, and emphasizes the availability of ad-free content through Dateline Premium.

• Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Dateline Premium for exclusive content and to stay updated with the latest true-crime investigations.

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Notable Speakers:

• Andrea Canning: Host and primary interviewer.
• Chloe Melas: Guest and NBC News correspondent.
• Shane Bishop: Dateline producer with firsthand reporting experience.
• Vicki Wynn: Senior consumer investigative correspondent.
• Laura Jarrett: Senior legal correspondent.

Timestamp Highlights:

• 02:49 – 04:03: Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z Legal Issues.
• 12:17 – 19:33: Bryan Kohberger Murder Case.
• 20:35 – 24:54: Additional High-Profile Cases.
• 26:02 – 30:13: AI-Driven Scams and Safety Tips.

This episode of Dateline NBC serves as an essential guide for true-crime enthusiasts and individuals seeking to stay informed about major legal battles and emerging technological threats in 2025.

Transcript

[Al Roker]

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[Andrea Canning]

I had no other option to do.

[Keith Morrison]

Something catch up with families, friends and investigators on our bonus series AFTER the Verdict, Ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with strength and courage.

[Andrea Canning]

It does just change your life. But speaking up for these issues helps me keep going.

[Keith Morrison]

To listen to after the Verdict, subscribe to DATELINE Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

[Andrea Canning]

[e-mail] Foreign It's Andrea Canning and you're listening to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. It's January 2, 2025, the start of a new year in courtrooms across the country and at Dateline's headquarters in 30 Rockefeller Center.

[Chloe Melas]

There are so many trials set to start in 2025. Nicholas Rossi, we have a trial date.

[Andrea Canning]

It's April 22nd, the Anna Walsh case.

[Vicki Wynn]

That's going to be a four week trial in October.

[Andrea Canning]

This week we're going to tell you about some cases we'll be paying close attention to in 20.

[Chloe Melas]

I think it's going to be interesting what happens with the criminal trial and to see who shows up in that courtroom to support him.

[Vicki Wynn]

If anybody, this is, you know, her high powered defense team. They will all return for the second trial.

[Andrea Canning]

Welcome to dateline True Crime Weekly's look ahead. 2025. Here's what's on our docket. In Idaho, the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students, Brian Kohberger, will finally head to trial. He can face the death penalty if convicted in DATELINE roundup. We've got a roundup of cases to watch, from Kare Reid in Massachusetts to accused poisoner Corey Richens in Utah.

[Chloe Melas]

I'm anxious to get trial and I'm ready to get this one heck of a fight.

[Andrea Canning]

We've got trial dates and details. Plus, NBC News senior consumer investigative correspondent Vicki Wynn will be here with tips on scams right out of the future.

[Laura Jarrett]

A lot of that content is now being generated by AI which makes it that much easier for the bad guys to pump out that bad information.

[Andrea Canning]

But before all that, we're headed to New York to take a look at a blockbuster case with a celebrity defendant. And it's shaping up to be what could be one of the biggest trials of the year. The music business executive Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, Puffy and Diddy, spent Christmas at the federal Detention center in Brooklyn. He's being held until his trial set to start in the spring.

[Damian Williams]

His charges, Sean Combs led and participated in a racketeering conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and the obstruction of justice.

[Andrea Canning]

U.S. attorney Damian Williams held a press conference the day after Combs was arrested in September and he said Combs had accomplices.

[Damian Williams]

He used his business and employees of that business and other close associates to get his way.

[Andrea Canning]

Combs has denied it all. And in addition to his criminal case, he is also facing over 30 civil suits accusing him of sexual violence. His lawyers continued continue to deny the allegations in the suits and call them cash grabs. NBC News has been on this story since Combs ex girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed and settled within 24 hours last fall with no admission of wrongdoing. Ventura alleges that Combs not only raped.

[Chloe Melas]

Her, but over the course of a.

[Andrea Canning]

Decade physically abused her. That is frequent DATELINE True Crime Weekly guest and NBC News correspondent Chloe Meloss, who's broken the recent big developments in the Combs case, a lawsuit that for the first time names another celebrity.

[Chloe Melas]

Tonight, explosive allegations against legendary rapper and mogul Jay Z. A new civil lawsuit is accusing him of raping a 13 year old girl with Sean Diddy Combs, which they both deny.

[Andrea Canning]

We brought Chloe back and also asked NBC News senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett to join us. She's been covering Combs as well. And they'll talk about where this case might go in 2025. Thank you both for being here.

[Chloe Melas]

Thanks for having us.

[Shane Bishop]

Always a pleasure.

[Andrea Canning]

So whoever wants to dive in first, where is this story going in 2025?

[Chloe Melas]

I'll let the lawyer take this one.

[Shane Bishop]

Chloe has been at the tip of the spear on all of the reporting on this. But from a legal standpoint, the question in my mind has always been will the charges, the criminal charges be limited to Combs alone or will more people in the alleged conspiracy, as the government describes it, eventually get implicated?

[Andrea Canning]

So the big question since all this started has been who else might be involved?

[Chloe Melas]

These parties that Combs used to have over the decades were filled with celebrities and politicians and the most powerful people have been silent. What's interesting is that Tony Busby, a litigator out of Houston, Texas, he has named not just Jay Z, but he named A celebrity, B, a woman who was allegedly there watching a 13 year old girl be sexually assaulted in the year 2000 after the MTV VMAs.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. And Laura, there's talk about tapes at these parties, tapes of sex acts. I mean, do you think when the prosecutors say that there are accomplices, do you think it's maybe coming from those tapes?

[Shane Bishop]

It could be. And if they had their hands on any tapes, that's the kind of thing that is going to be tough for this defense. We know there's a grand jury hearing testimony right now. We know that there's an active investigation going. And I'm always curious how many of the people that the plaintiff's lawyer has talked to have also talked to the government. Because talking to a plaintiff's lawyer is very different than going in and talking to the FBI.

[Andrea Canning]

And Chloe, you interviewed Jay Z's lawyer, Alex Spiro, who isn't attacking the accuser, but is really going after her lawyer.

[Damian Williams]

He takes away the voices from real.

[Andrea Canning]

Victims and he causes real harm.

[Damian Williams]

If this lawyer has any sense, he's.

[Andrea Canning]

Going to dismiss this claim. I don't know whether he has any sense.

[Chloe Melas]

Jay Z's legal team is saying that they did not do the proper vetting, that they brought this frivolous lawsuit, and that if they had done a simple search on some of the things that she said, that they would have seen that this wasn't strong enough to be clear.

[Andrea Canning]

Jay Z has vehemently denied these allegations. Is this going to be an uphill battle for his accuser?

[Chloe Melas]

Well, I sat down with the Jane Doe at Tony Busby's offices in Houston, Texas recently.

[Andrea Canning]

I stumbled upon Diddy's driver who told.

[Laura Jarrett]

Me that I was exactly what Diddy was looking for.

[Chloe Melas]

What did you think when he said that to you?

[Andrea Canning]

I thought it meant that I was just pretty.

[Chloe Melas]

She talked about having driven from Rochester, New York to Radio City Music Hall. That would have been a five hour drive. And she says after the assault, her father picked her up from a gas station that she had ran to to seek help. And at times she seemed very credible. But on the other hand, when our investigative team really dug into her claims, she said a lot of things that just didn't add up. Her father said he could not verify the claims. Quote, I felt like I would remember that and I don't. I have a lot going on, but I mean, that's something that would definitely stick in my mind. Tony Buzzview said that he's going to polygraph his client, that she has already signed two Affidavits.

[Shane Bishop]

If this entire thing falls apart, and I'm not saying that it's going to. If it does, though, Busby has a real problem with the rest of his cases. Right. Because this is now sort of. You went for the king and you missed. If Jay Z's attorney manages to get this Jane Doe sort of discredited, that's a strategic advantage to coms as well.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. And, Laura, one thing we know is the government does not bring criminal charges unless they generally have the goods to back it up because they don't want to take a loser to trial.

[Vicki Wynn]

Yeah.

[Shane Bishop]

I don't want to make it seem like it's going to be a slam dunk, though, because he has the money and the power to fight this. I do find it odd that he has dropped his effort to get out of prison. Right. I think that's curious.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Why? Just it's a losing battle or.

[Shane Bishop]

Well, it's definitely a losing battle, but.

[Vicki Wynn]

So who cares?

[Shane Bishop]

He has all the resources in the world. I mean, he's staying behind bars until this trial is completed. That's months from now.

[Andrea Canning]

So for 2025, there's gonna be a lot happening in this case.

[Chloe Melas]

I mean, in terms of what's next. We know that the government is building their case and we are expecting that Cassie Ventura will take the stand and testify. There's a lot of rumors swirling that maybe Kid Cudi will take the stand as well. There was something in the indictment about his car being allegedly blown up by Combs.

[Shane Bishop]

I think it's worth pointing out that we have a new President coming, we have a new U.S. attorney coming, all of whom can make this case go away pretty quickly and certainly potentially going to make other cases go away. It's a big enough deal and a high profile enough case that it's going to get close scrutiny BY the next U.S. attorney who is not somebody who has criminal law experience, who appears to have no connection to Combs whatsoever. But Damian Williams was willing to take on very powerful people and prosecuted senators down to Combs. So it'll be interesting to see whether the change in the top prosecutor makes any difference for him.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Chloe and Laura, thank you so much for bringing your insight into this matter.

[Chloe Melas]

Thank you.

[Shane Bishop]

Always fun.

[Andrea Canning]

Up next, an Idaho town looking for answers. Will the trial of Bryan Kohberger on charges of killing four college students finally bring closure?

[Al Roker]

They called it the happiest place on the high desert, home to a tight knit group of 30 somethings who like to party.

[Damian Williams]

It starts as a Playboy Channel fantasy.

[Al Roker]

But this is real life where passion leads to murder and a killer seeks God's help with the COVID up. I'm Josh Mankiewicz and this is Deadly Mirage, an all new podcast from dateline.

[Keith Morrison]

All episodes are available now. To listen ad free, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or dateline premium.com they were sweet little old ladies, Helen and Olga. Their mission, to get homeless men off the street. And then one day, tragedy. Why are we telling you this? Well, we've covered many plots over the years, but nothing quite like this. I'm Keith Morrison. Think you've heard every DATELINE story. Think again. Listen to the thing about Helen and Olga and a dozen other riveting series when you follow the DATELINE Originals podcast.

[Al Roker]

Hey everybody, I'm Al Roker from the Today Show. I am so excited to kick start the new year with help from our all new Start Today app. It has everything you need for your wellness journey all in one place, fitness challenges for all levels, meal plans that are easy and delicious and so much more. It's built to fit your lifestyle and our experts will guide you every step of the way. Come on, let's do this.

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[Andrea Canning]

Cancel anytime through Apple under profile settings. In the early hours of November 13, 2022, 4 University of Idaho students, Kaylee Gonsalves, Madison Mogan, Ethan Chapin and Zanna Kernodle returned to their off campus house in Moscow, Idaho after a night out. Hours later a call went into 911. Officers arrived at the scene to find the four students had been fatally stabbed.

[Al Roker]

In the small town of Moscow, Idaho.

[Andrea Canning]

The violent murders four college students have.

[Al Roker]

The tight knit University of Idaho community on edge.

[Andrea Canning]

A manhunt ensued and 47 days after the murders, authorities across the country in Pennsylvania arrested Washington State University Criminology PhD student Bryan Coburger and charged him with the stabbings. Police department search warrant come to the door.

[Damian Williams]

Brian.

[Laura Jarrett]

Brian, you know it.

[Andrea Canning]

Coburger has pleaded not guilty and the past two years have been painfully long for the families of the victims as the prosecution and the def have had major disagreements about evidence. The trial has been delayed not once but twice. What do you think about all this time that has passed that we have not been to trial yet?

[Vicki Wynn]

I would say that I feel like the legal system is not about the victims and I'll leave it at that.

[Andrea Canning]

This year the lengthy wait is finally coming to an end. Kohberger will face a jury in August. Joining us Today to talk about what we can expect from one of the biggest trials of 2025 is Dateline producer Shane Bishop. Shane, thanks for joining us.

[Damian Williams]

Thanks for having me.

[Andrea Canning]

You were on the ground in Idaho very shortly after these murders first happened. Tell us about that experience.

[Damian Williams]

Yeah, I was there. The day after it happened or the day after? The day after it happened. It was cold. I remember that it was November in north Idaho. And I would say that like a lot of places we visit on dateline, the town was in shock.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, absolutely. I can only imagine the fear as well of the not knowing who is out there, like who did this.

[Damian Williams]

I think a lot of kids went home. I think their parents said, get out of there. It's almost the end of the quarter. We'll deal with it next year.

[Andrea Canning]

That makes absolute sense. Tell us about these four victims and who we lost that day in 2022.

[Damian Williams]

Well, Kaylee and Maddie were best friends. They were both 21. Kaylee had already graduated and she was headed for a job in Austin, Texas. She had just gone down to Moscow for a final night to show Maddie, her best friend, her new car. Ethan and Zanna were a couple. They were both 20. They'd been going out for a short period of time. But what I heard from their friends was that they felt they were destined to get married.

[Andrea Canning]

Oh. Oh, that's really sad. A lot has happened since Brian Kohberger was arrested at the end of 2022. Where do things stand now?

[Damian Williams]

Well, the case has been inching its way through the court system. The big news happened back in September when the judge in Lato county in Moscow decided to grant the change of venue that the defense had requested. So they've moved it to the state's biggest town, Boise, Ada County. A few days after that ruling, Brian Coburger, we watched as he was taken to a state police airplane and flown down to Boise. And that's where he's been ever since because there's a new venue in Boise. There's also a new judge who I have to say doesn't seem thrilled that he has been thrust into this spot. One other big ruling that the judge made is that Coburger is eligible to face the death penalty. Coburger will face a death qualified jury, meaning all the jurors have to be okay with voting for the death penalty if there's a conviction.

[Andrea Canning]

What has the community's response been to these developments?

[Damian Williams]

I mean, I can't say that I heard the change of venue decision was, was popular, especially with the victims families. I Mean, you have to realize that Moscow's in North Idaho, Boise's in Southern Idaho, and It's a good 8 hour, 450 mile trip. It's a huge inconvenience for the families.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, that is a long drive. And as we know, Shane, families tend to want to be there in court for their loved ones. There's so much we don't know about this case. Do you think we'll get any answers before this trial starts, or do you think we have to wait to see what the prosecution has once they get into that courtroom?

[Damian Williams]

Well, there's so much we don't know about this because the judges have imposed a fairly restrictive gag order. I do know that a complicating factor before the trial is that the witness list will be sealed. So we won't know who's testifying. We won't know when they're testifying.

[Andrea Canning]

There were two women who lived in the house who survived. One said she saw a figure in black clothing and a mask in the house just after the attacks. Shane, do you expect her to testify?

[Damian Williams]

I'm sure she'll testify at the trial or at least be called to testify at the trial. I would assume, like some other witnesses, she will fight testifying at the trial. Because, you know, as people have told me, who wants to come face to face with Brian Coburger in court because.

[Andrea Canning]

They'Re just so scared of him?

[Damian Williams]

Correct.

[Andrea Canning]

Oh, my goodness.

[Damian Williams]

I mean, these are young women in their early 20s. I mean, I can't imagine. I. I have kids. We all have kids. You can't imagine having your kid go through something like that?

[Andrea Canning]

No. That would be awful. Coburger has pleaded not guilty, and we've yet to hear his story. But what do you know about law enforcement's theory about why he targeted this particular house and these students?

[Damian Williams]

The connection to the victims has always been a big question. A long time ago, an old LAPD homicide detective told me that motive only has to make sense to one person for one second. The word that comes up over and over when you talk to investigators and also people who grew up with him was rejection.

[Andrea Canning]

Well, he's going to have a defense. What do we know about it?

[Damian Williams]

When he's filed the notice of an alibi defense, and his alibi was he was out driving around in his car that night, looking at the moon and stars. I will tell you that he seems to feel very comfortable in the dark. He runs after dark. He hikes after dark. He is out driving after dark. He's a night owl. I Think the defense will focus on attacking the genetic genealogy.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Remind us how that that DNA on the knife sheath, how that then led them to Bryan Coburger.

[Damian Williams]

So investigators very quickly found a knife sheath in the room that Maddie and Kaylee were murdered in. They submitted it to a lab. They got touch DNA off it, that DNA. They used genetic genealogy to pinpoint that DNA to a couple families in northwestern Pennsylvania. One of them was Coburger's, and, you know, the rest is history.

[Andrea Canning]

Any major hearings taking place before the trial in August?

[Damian Williams]

So there's a very unusual hearing coming up later this month called a Franks hearing, which is the defense asked the court to contest the truthfulness of an affidavit in support of a search warrant. This Franks hearing is a very serious allegation that the the police have played fast and loose with the facts to get search warrants. And the defense has asked the judge to toss out search warrants for Apple, Google, Brian's apartment, Brian's car. And if he does grant them that, which it's an extreme long shot, but if he does, it would hamstring the prosecution's case. And I mean, in an extreme case, they may have to go back and get a new indictment of Co Burger, which you can imagine might slow things down for years.

[Andrea Canning]

Oh, that would be not good for the families to have to, to wait like that. You just came back from a trip to Idaho. You know, we're over two years out from the murders. Is it still top of mind for everyone?

[Damian Williams]

You know, as far as I can tell, life just goes on. But they're all very ready to get a conclusion or at least some sort of an ending to this case, a resolution.

[Andrea Canning]

Shane, thank you so much for coming on the podcast and for sharing your personal experience being there so many times working on this story. We appreciate it.

[Damian Williams]

You bet, Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

When we come back, we've got Dateline roundup and details on some cases you might want to put on your calendar. Plus, we've heard of AI or artificial intelligence, but wait until you hear how much smarter AI makes the criminals. Welcome back to the show. We've got a different kind of Dateline roundup this week. Instead of bringing you up to speed on the latest headlines and true crime news, we've got a rundown of some of the cases we're keeping an eye on for 2025. Here to walk us through it all is Dateline producer Rachel White. Rachel, welcome back to the podcast.

[Vicki Wynn]

Thank you for having me.

[Andrea Canning]

Let's start in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. this is a story we've talked about a lot. This is where the Brazilian au pair and her employer turned lover were accused of a double murder last year. Rachel, just remind us of the story.

[Vicki Wynn]

Sure. So, investigators say that Brendan Banfield plotted with the family's au pair, a woman named Juliana Perez Magales, to kill his wife. Christ. And a man named Joseph Ryan, who they allegedly lured to the Banfield family home through a fetish website. Juliana was charged with second degree murder of that man. And Brendan was charged with the aggravated murder of both his wife and Joseph Ryan.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, this. This story is straight out of a Lifetime movie, I have to say. And there was a big development in this case in late October.

[Vicki Wynn]

That's right. So Juliana took a plea deal. She pled guilty to manslaughter in the shooting of Joseph Ryan. And as a part of this deal, she's agree. Agreed to cooperate with prosecutors ahead of Brendan's trial.

[Andrea Canning]

So when is Brendan's trial scheduled to start? And because of this, are we expecting then Juliana will testify against him?

[Vicki Wynn]

So, right now, Brendan's trial is on the docket for October 20th, and we don't know for sure if Juliana will take the stand, but it sounds like that's likely to happen.

[Andrea Canning]

Up next, we're heading to a place that is very familiar to the listeners of our podcast, Massachusetts, where round two of the blockbuster trial of Karen Reed is set to begin in April. Prosecutors say Reed hit her boyfriend with her suv. The allegation is that she left him to die in the snow after a night of partying back in January 2022. The jury at her first trial couldn't reach a verdict, which is why we're heading back to court. Rachel, tell us what we can expect.

[Vicki Wynn]

For starters, there will be a new prosecutor that's leading the case, and Karen Reed's defense team is also going to be a little bit different. This. They've added a new lawyer. And this is all according to a motion that was filed late in November.

[Andrea Canning]

Interesting. So Alan Jackson, her lead attorney out of Los Angeles, he made such an impression at the first trial. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you frame someone. That's how you rip a person's life apart and sleep like a baby while doing it. Is he still a part of her team?

[Vicki Wynn]

Yes, he's going to be back. Her first high powered defense team. They will all return for the second trial.

[Andrea Canning]

This trial is set to start on April 1st.

[Vicki Wynn]

Certainly one to watch.

[Andrea Canning]

There is another high profile trial in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, that we've got our eye on taking place. In late October. And this is the case of Brian Walsh. He is accused of murdering his wife Anna, a real estate executive who disappeared on New Year's day back in 2023. Her body has never been found. Rachel, walk us through what we know about this case.

[Vicki Wynn]

So this all kicked off back when Brian and Ana's colleagues reported her missing in January of 2023. Police said that Brian Walsh was cooperative initially and that they did a search of the home where they found knives and they also found blood in the basement.

[Andrea Canning]

There were also some disturbing Google searches that investigators found.

[Chloe Melas]

Right.

[Vicki Wynn]

And they found those on Ana and Brian's 6 year old son's iPad.

[Laura Jarrett]

At 4:55am on January 1, he searched.

[Andrea Canning]

How long before a body starts to smell?

[Laura Jarrett]

At 4:58am how to stop a body from decomposing.

[Vicki Wynn]

Ultimately, after more investigation, Brian was charged with first degree murder, misleading the police and improper transport of a human body. He's pleaded not guilty to all of those charges and he's set to go to trial on October 20, 2025.

[Andrea Canning]

For our last story, we're heading to Summit County, Utah. And you may remember Corey Richards. She is the mom of three who wrote the children's book about grief after her husband died back In March of 2022, she was arrested on charges of poisoning him. Prosecutors say she laced his drink with fentanyl. Richards has pleaded not guilty. And last year on the podcast we played exclusive jailhouse recordings that Richen sent to DATELINE from jail.

[Chloe Melas]

I'm anxious to get to trial and I'm ready to get this one heck of a fight.

[Andrea Canning]

This year. We'll finally see that fight play out in court. How long can we expect this trial to go for? Is is it going to be a long one?

[Vicki Wynn]

It's looking like it's going to be pretty long. It's currently scheduled to begin on April 28th and it's expected to go through May 22nd.

[Andrea Canning]

So 2025 is shaping up to be another busy year in true crime and we didn't even scratch the surface with all the cases that DATELINE will be watching. Rachel, thank you so much for joining us and giving us a preview of what's to come this year.

[Vicki Wynn]

Great to be here.

[Andrea Canning]

While artificial intelligence may seem like a concern for the future, it's already an integral part of our daily lives. Ride sharing apps like Uber, streaming services like Netflix or Peacock, and digital assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. AI is all around us in good ways and bad. Law enforcement agencies and consumer advocates are raising the alarm about SCAMS Powered by AI. Here to help us understand how AI may already be a part of your life and what to watch out for in 2025 is NBC News senior consumer investigative correspondent Vicki Nguyen. Hey, Vicki, thank you for coming back.

[Laura Jarrett]

Hey, Andrea. Always great to be with you. Happy New Year.

[Andrea Canning]

Happy New Year. Yeah. So, Vicki, explain artificial intelligence and how it is all around us, even when you might not know it is at.

[Laura Jarrett]

The most basic level. Andrea, think of it as technology that allows computers to do the kinds of tasks that would normally require us to tell them and require some sort of human intervention and decision making. Now, the computers can do some of this on their own, and then they can predict what they're supposed to do next. And that's considered learning, which is where the intelligence part comes in. AI is used all the time in things that we take for granted, like when your phone unlocks using your face or when you're sending an email and that predictive texting comes up saying, is this how you want to finish your sentence? That's all AI. And of course, as you mentioned, there's really sophisticated types of AI, like what we saw with the chatbot, where you're entering in conversational language and it seems like this computer is responding to you in a human way. Really, all it's doing is using all of the information and data that's been put into it from previous human conversations and predicting that this is the response that will make the most sense to you.

[Andrea Canning]

In December, the FBI issued a public service announcement warning that criminals are using AI to generate scams on a larger scale that are more believable and that AI actually cuts down the time and effort it takes for criminals to come up with scams. What kind of things are they talking about?

[Laura Jarrett]

I was just talking to the cybersecurity experts at Human Security about the holidays, where a lot of online shopping sites pop up that are totally bogus. They're just designed to tell you this is where you can get the hottest item at the lowest price, hoping that that's going to be enough bait for you to enter in your credit card or your banking information. Well, back in the day, Andrea, humans had to make those websites. Now bots and AI powered computers can create those websites very quickly. They can also send out phishing and smishing messages. That's when you get an email or a text sent to your phone saying, hey, there's been a problem with your package delivery, or, hey, this is the government. We need to check on your taxes. Click here. A lot of that content is now being generated by AI, which makes it that much easier for the bad guys to pump out that bad information.

[Andrea Canning]

And that brings us to deepfakes, which is getting harder for people to tell what is legit and what isn't because.

[Laura Jarrett]

The deep fake technology is becoming so good. But it's basically referring to a type of artificial intelligence that generates audio images and now even videos that make it appear that someone is doing something or saying something that they aren't. We've seen this used in some of the most disgusting and creepy ways. From generating nude images, celebrity images, to endorse products. People have to be very careful when they're on social media. Is this something that this celebrity would actually be doing? And also be on the lookout for deep fakes when it comes to law enforcement or people impersonating government officials.

[Andrea Canning]

So according to a recent article by Forbes Global deepfake related identity fraud attempts are forecasted to reach 50,000 this year. So how can you spot the deep fake?

[Laura Jarrett]

So a lot of times these deep fakes are spread on social media like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook. When it comes to these deep fakes with video, face swapping is a very common way this is done. So if you're carefully looking at the video and you think, gosh, this face is too perfect and this message isn't in character with who you are seeing this from, or if the messaging is very extreme or shocking or unbelievable, these are moments where you've got to take a step back, look at the context and decide, is this actually credible?

[Andrea Canning]

So with with AI always evolving, do we have any idea what's next?

[Laura Jarrett]

According to a Google Cloud 2025 cybersecurity forecast, AI is going to be going up against AI and it makes sense. You need powerful technology to help you detect AI scams, defend against them. So we're seeing this shift in AI tools being used at the corporate level to improve response to AI threats. So 2025 for us, be mindful, be aware that this technology exists.

[Andrea Canning]

Vicki, thank you for warning us about these pitfalls and what to expect with this new frontier we're facing. We appreciate it.

[Laura Jarrett]

Great conversation with you as always. Thanks, Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

That's it for this episode of Dateline True Crime Weekly. Our first episode of 2025 coming up this Friday on Dateline, a Fitbit captured the last moments of a woman's life and helped investigators capture her killer. Watch my classic two hour mystery, the Secrets of Birchview Drive, airing this Friday at 9, 8 Central on NBC or stream it starting Saturday on Peacock to get ad free listening for all our podcasts. Subscribe to Dateline Premium. Thanks for listening. Say thank you for listening. Thank you for listening. No, say it nice.

[Shane Bishop]

Thank you for listening. Thank you for listening to Dateline.

[Andrea Canning]

True Crime True Crime Weekly Weekly Dateline True Crime Weekly is produced by Franny Kelly and Katie Ferguson. Our associate producers are Carson Cummins and Caroline Casey. Our senior producer is Liz Brown. Kurloff Production and fact checking help by Sara Kadir. Veronica Mazeka is our digital producer. Rick Kwan is our sound designer. Original Music by Jesse McGinty. Bryson Barnes is head of audio production, Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of Dateline.